Derrick Cave: Exploring a Remote Lava Tube, Oregon

[@rebeccawilson5139]

For those who live in WesternOregon and Washington, the Ape caves are very similar and are located South of Mount Saint Helens. They were also a result of eruptions and are Lava tubes. The name is for a group of Cavers called the “Apers”..

[@MattCookOregon]

I had that recommendation a couple times on here. Wonder if people would like me leaving Oregon?

[@shlby69m]

A 7 min walk into the dark part is over 1/4 mile into the unknown. Impressive!

[@MattCookOregon]

It was actually spooky! I guess a predator could go in there? I couldn't imagine a reason for them to go so deep into it.

[@ecmarks438]

I've watched several of your videos and want to thank you for sharing. This is a part of Oregon I haven't visited and not sure I will be able to visit; so having the opportunity to vicariously enjoy this apect via your well done videos is appreciated.

[@MattCookOregon]

Thanks for binge watching me like netflix! I got a good variety of videos to check out at this point. I try to do a little something for everyone between crazy and tame.

[@beachmaster4887]

Hey they is 100% music from Skyrim in this video lol.

[@MattCookOregon]

True lol. You like it?

[@klingfamily2225]

I noticed that right away, too. Niiice...

[@rebeccawilson5139]

Love your videos.

[@MattCookOregon]

Thank you!

[@WilliamDahmen]

My son and I were watching SoftRoading the West's most recent video near Christmas Valley, and I let him know that they weren't to far from where we went last year by Fort Rock. My son instantly remembered Derrick Cave and asked if they had been there. I said I don't think so. He then said we should leave a comment for them to go visit it. My response was, "You know who would be a good person to tell about Derrick Cave? Matt Cook Oregon. He would do a great video on Derrick Cave." After we finished Donald's video, we went straight to your channel, and we were both surprised to see you published a video on it just two weeks ago! And I was right, you did a great job!

[@MattCookOregon]

Hahaha awesome man! Yep glad I finally got there for a video recently. Tried kind of a hydbrid video here with my usual at the first half and silence for the second. Donald and I have been trying to figure out a good collab for awhile now. There is an Oregon Trail idea floating around that I hope we get to do.

[@conniewojahn6445]

Amazing how the floor and sides are almost square. Just watching this is scary. I'm not adventurous enough to go there. Interesting, though, and really great filming. Thank you.

[@MattCookOregon]

Thank you Connie. I found the shapes to be very unusual. But most likely just different waves of lava hardening.

[@jeremyherndon2974]

I use to spend hours and hours exploring these caves when I was a kid. I grew up in Christmas Valley. Haven't been there in 30 years but would love to take my daughter there some time so she can experience it.

[@MattCookOregon]

Awesome. Have you explored that old radar array east of Christmas Valley? I was thinking that could make an interesting video.

[@jeremyherndon2974]

@@MattCookOregon My best friends mom use to work security out there when I was little it was way off limits area the entire time I lived out there. But there is an old crashed 1950s fighter jet in the mountains south east of town that I use to go explore, and there is the crack in the ground which is a cool place to check out as well.

[@MattCookOregon]

@@jeremyherndon2974 I got a video on crack in the ground! That's cool info about the area though. On maps the radar just looks like nothing but could be an interesting story to tell if the info is out there.

[@db11BOA]

Oh man I love the use of the Skyrim soundtrack on your video…

[@MattCookOregon]

Thanks. I thought it was very fitting!

[@Lowellian1]

Donald, softroadingthewest, , is who told us about your videos. Thanks Donald, Matt is a gem!

[@MattCookOregon]

I am glad you found them. I plan on continuing with educational outdoor topics. Thanks Donald.

[@tomlauritzen9522]

Thanks for taking me where I was at the "OH hell no" point lol. Great video!

[@MattCookOregon]

Ha. Thanks. My wife said the same thing and stayed at the entrance with our baby.

[@malcolmfoster6266]

I love your videos man! Just watched three in a row. Great job! Gives me ideas of places to go. Scratches my photo itch. Thanks for putting them out there. 👌🙏🙋🏼‍♂️

[@MattCookOregon]

Thanks for binging me like Netflix! They are all photogenic locations for sure. Newberry is my best work but an hour long so hard to get the time for.

[@northcoastoutdoorchannel]

I love this cave! devils garden is a pretty cool area also. Fun drive out there!

[@MattCookOregon]

Nice. Yeah Devil's Garden seemed like it needed it's own video.

[@bradyk1804]

This is so cool! Kinda nervous about being alone out there, even though I'm an experienced spelunker.

[@MattCookOregon]

Thanks! Derrick is a pretty calm, flat, open cave so not a big deal. My only worry was that I found find an animal!

[@BlackWhiteandTheGrays]

Gotta love Central Oregon!

[@MattCookOregon]

True! Any ideas for next video from there?

[@goexplore318]

Cool to see those Ponderosa Pines growing at the entrance.. Great video, keep on filming!!!

[@MattCookOregon]

Ponderosa Pines make very very happy too. Thank you.

[@softroadingthewest]

Thank you for filming this so I could see the whole thing without going further than that first bit which might be accessible to those afraid of caves. 🤣🤣 It truly was pretty cool looking in there, interesting formations, and just striking how it just goes on and on. Nicely done as usual.

[@MattCookOregon]

Thanks dude. I only had like 1 minute of commentary for the 2nd half so decided to go quiet mode instead. The only thing worth mentioning were those weird tracks and ledges. Looked unnatural like a railroad track but it was from multiple eruptions.

[@MOWGLY79]

Great video and music selection!

[@MattCookOregon]

Thank you! I thought the music was the perfect ominous adventure, perfect for a cave explore.

[@vihaan3762]

Don't have enough words to express my feelings experiencing lava cave through your video. Thanks for such remarkable video it must be tough job .Well captured beautiful shots its a perfect video thanks again .

[@MattCookOregon]

Wow thanks so much! Good video in the dark is definitely tough. It was worth holding the big gimbal/camera/light.

[@SouthParkCityMuseum]

Great video! And perfect soundtrack!

[@MattCookOregon]

Thank you! Anything ever happen with that Sumpter Dredge video?

[@SouthParkCityMuseum]

@@MattCookOregon It's ready to go. Everything got delayed because of COVID (of course). The exhibit will officially open in May 2021. I'll send you a video. :)

[@easydiddit]

I love the beauty, the calm serene harmony of your videos. This video is a joy. Thanks...

[@MattCookOregon]

Thanks! Was the 7 minutes of silence a bit much?

[@easydiddit]

@@MattCookOregon Not enough. A nice pace for us elders. At the end where the cave narrows and I see the floor and ceiling together was a beautiful finish. More!

[@RussellVineyard]

I have explored that cave years ago. In the winter. We had to hike in and camp near by. There's a number of caves in central Oregon that had metal gates on them. Several miles past arnold ice cave there's one that may still have the gate. In 2001 it wasn't marked on a map.

[@MattCookOregon]

Nice camping near it sounds awesome. I would love to get a shot of stars through the skylight. Yeah the gates are still around, like Skeleton cave. Some tour guide business has the key and can get people in.

[@exploringthetributaries643]

Great video, I enjoyed your exploration very much (I love visiting caves myself)! Maybe one thing for future explorations, a stronger flashlight or headlight for such large caves would probably make the video less dark, while the sides and ceiling would be better visible.

[@MattCookOregon]

Very cool thanks. I was using this light as well as my usual headlamp: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A9UXQFC/ You think I need brighter eh?

[@exploringthetributaries643]

Well I found it a bit dark... how many lumen is this thing? And it seems like a "flood" light, not a focused bundle, right? For deep, large caves, it might not reach much of the surfaces you would idealy like to see. I'm just mentioning this since I struggle with similar issues when I explore caves. I use a 1000 lumen headlight, which is a decent start, but still not always sufficient. I know other cavers who shoot films use a lot more than that! (10k up to 100k lumen).

[@jimgsewell]

Another place I need to visit. Thanks, I enjoyed your video.

[@MattCookOregon]

Thank you very much!

[@jimgsewell]

@@MattCookOregon Keep up the good work. I'm looking forward to watching your next video.

[@MattCookOregon]

@@jimgsewell Awesome! I will have to get to work. It is about snow time so that should be fun.

[@JenniferLupine]

Cool! I guess I have only been on developed cave tours.... really interesting! 👍👍

[@MattCookOregon]

Nice. it is super creepy going in a cave alone for the first time!

[@JenniferLupine]

@@MattCookOregon Yea, I bet! It seemed pretty lonely!

[@pamelagonzalez9567]

That was soooo cool!!!! I never realized lova made caves but it makes sense. that was an awesome share Matt thanks👍😃👍

[@MattCookOregon]

Thanks for binge watching some videos Pam!

[@robbergstrom943]

Beautiful video and now on our list to visit.Those lights through the ceiling portals are amazing. We visited a beautiful lava tube cave in Mojave National Preserve two weeks back but Derrick seems to be even grander and have some pretty compelling historical significance.

[@MattCookOregon]

Thanks Rob. That Oregon flag badge looks pretty cool! These skylights are a must for photographers. There are a ton of caves around there. If I ever need another cave video I will head that way again.

I enjoyed watching the flashlight bounce off of the cave walls. I like your done shots. Nice exploration and narration.

[@MattCookOregon]

Thank you! i had a light attached to camera that didnt move. The moving light was my headlamp

[@lynnnorthrup8914]

A great adventure and superb job with the video.👍👍👍👍😀😀😀😀

[@MattCookOregon]

Thank you very much!

[@MotoPappy]

Thumbs up on a great adventure. Really enjoyed it. 👍

[@MattCookOregon]

Thanks Pappy! That got spooky at the end.

[@antonioloredo8800]

Great video, I been on some caves in central Oregón. Love it....

[@MattCookOregon]

Thank you. Lots of caves there. I could just go on a cave spree and have 10 more easy videos haha.

[@masonisbetter]

How was the road heading out here? Wondering if my small car would be able to make the drive. Also I love the music choice!

[@MattCookOregon]

Thanks. Not a bad road. That quick clip I played was one of the worst parts. Just some large boulders in some spots. The south entrance road is closed, private land now.

[@TheWorldAccordingtoJim]

Derrick cave is one of my favorites. Great documentary!

[@MattCookOregon]

Thanks Jim!

[@rideoregonfirst]

This is just a few miles South East the East Fort Rock OHV riding area. I'll need to put those two together sometime and go see these caves!

[@MattCookOregon]

Sounds good. Though the direct road between them is now private and closed so might have to go around.

[@GirlandTheMoment]

Wow these are amazing places. I love nature exploration and your channel is packed with that. So excited to find this channel. Will gradually be exploring each one if them. Thanks for taking us along

[@MattCookOregon]

Thank you! If you like exploration and Oregon this channel is for you. Hope you enjoy.

[@DennyBent]

This is so cool, and it's definitely going on my list! I have to admit, though - the entire time you were in the southern section of the cave, I kept thinking about earthquakes. That would up the anxiety level by quite a bit!

[@MattCookOregon]

Thank you. It is a cool one. That is one of many cave fears to have. I was actually thinking of bears and big cats the whole time haha.

[@Oregontrailblazin]

Great Show ! Had Popcorn and Cranberry juice and grandkids watching ! Question Matt? Which lava cave was the temple to the masonics or whoever they were ?

[@Oregontrailblazin]

the second tunnel looks like one or one large ledge of slumber party like a long house or a seating area

[@Oregontrailblazin]

I mean what would you have done if a cougar ran out 10:32 >Does your MOM know !! lolol

[@MattCookOregon]

Awesome! Masonics? Never heard of em sorry.

[@MattCookOregon]

@@Oregontrailblazin I had that thought a couple times of bears and cougars hiding in there. Would have been a tough fight lol

[@Oregontrailblazin]

@@MattCookOregon YOU are going to make me prove it I know ..

[@billkipper3264]

Great video. I've been in a few mines and caves over the years. However, I don't see any real reason to go very deep into this particular cave as it seems there's nothing of real interest past the sky lights.

[@MattCookOregon]

Thank you. Yeah it does go on and on. I think the excitement of not knowing when it will end is enough. Though here I have spoiled that for some!